Want more Hudson Williams? See 'Heated Rivalry' star's short films
- - Want more Hudson Williams? See 'Heated Rivalry' star's short films
Greta Cross, USA TODAYFebruary 6, 2026 at 12:58 AM
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Before riding off to The Cottage in "Heated Rivalry," Hudson Williams, popularly known as Shane Hollander in the hit TV series, spent the better part of six years writing, producing, directing and acting in short films, many of which are available on YouTube.
Though the 24-year-old star has only recently been thrust into the mainstream spotlight, Williams has played a wide variety of roles, from a depressed young man seeking approval from a lost friend to a humanoid chatbot who steals a woman from her husband. Williams' digital footprint, as "Heated Rivalry" fans have quickly noticed, runs deep.
Mark Masterton, one of Williams' close friends and fellow Langara College Film Arts alumni in Vancouver, told USA TODAY that even after Williams completed "Heated Rivalry" production in June 2025, he returned eager to make more short films.
"He never stopped to blink," Masterton said. "He was already back into the indie world because he just loves making movies."
If "reheating" "Heated Rivalry" isn't scratching the itch, here's a look at Williams' filmography, leading up to "Heated Rivalry."
hit television series "Heated Rivalry," Hudson Williams wrote, directed and acted in countless short films with friends in Vancouver, British Columbia.In this photo, Williams is seen on the student production of "And... Action!" at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2020.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Before playing Shane Hollander in the hit television series "Heated Rivalry," Hudson Williams wrote, directed and acted in countless short films with friends in Vancouver, British Columbia.In this photo, Williams is seen on the student production of "And... Action!" at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2020.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/RvIyM2E10AA0TD_EYxjEog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/227c6c2ce1667b7650560cf65f3a7522 class=caas-img data-headline="See pre-fame photos of 'Heated Rivalry's' Hudson Williams in early films" data-caption="
Before playing Shane Hollander in the hit television series "Heated Rivalry," Hudson Williams wrote, directed and acted in countless short films with friends in Vancouver, British Columbia.In this photo, Williams is seen on the student production of "And... Action!" at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2020.
">Before playing Shane Hollander in the hit television series "Heated Rivalry," Hudson Williams wrote, directed and acted in countless short films with friends in Vancouver, British Columbia.In this photo, Williams is seen on the student production of "And... Action!" at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2020.
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"Heated Rivalry" star Hudson Williams, right, speaks with Langara College Film Arts Program Coordinator Jonas Quastel in a Langara classroom in Vancouver, British Columbia in December 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZTciiAXejJYVc2VId68K0Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/aedbf2385c4bb4e6b8612e9d83c31b41 class=caas-img data-headline="See pre-fame photos of 'Heated Rivalry's' Hudson Williams in early films" data-caption="
"Heated Rivalry" star Hudson Williams, right, speaks with Langara College Film Arts Program Coordinator Jonas Quastel in a Langara classroom in Vancouver, British Columbia in December 2025.
">"Heated Rivalry" star Hudson Williams, right, speaks with Langara College Film Arts Program Coordinator Jonas Quastel in a Langara classroom in Vancouver, British Columbia in December 2025.
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1 / 20See pre-fame photos of 'Heated Rivalry's' Hudson Williams in early films
Before playing Shane Hollander in the hit television series "Heated Rivalry," Hudson Williams wrote, directed and acted in countless short films with friends in Vancouver, British Columbia.In this photo, Williams is seen on the student production of "And... Action!" at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2020.
Television: Hudson Williams' life before 'Heated Rivalry,' according to his friends
Watch these shorts written and directed by Hudson Williams
As of Feb. 5, Williams published four short films to his YouTube channel, which boasted more than 51,000 subscribers:
"Soakers": "Two rendezvousing virgins engage in a practice where they can wet their salivating beaks and keep the Heavenly Father happy," the video's caption reads.
"Snow Angel": Williams' debut short film, a 23-minute crime-thriller about a young man who hijacks a drug dealer's clientele.
"Inside Augustine Mendozas Quotidian Apartment": A comedic tour of a man's personality through his apartment (A director's cut is also available on Williams' YouTube channel).
"Buttons: The Lover Archetype Explored Through a Pussycat Dolls Odyssey": "A straight and narrow man must find a way to loosen up to save the relationship with the woman of his dreams," the video's caption reads.
"Heated Rivalry" star Hudson Williams, back, on the student production of "And... Action!" at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2020.Shorts from Hudson Williams' film school days
During an eight-month program at Langara College Film Arts in 2020, Williams starred in several shorts, available to watch on the Langara College Film Arts YouTube channel:
"And... Action!": A director pushes his actor through physical pain to nail an emotional scene.
"Over the edge": "Cory (Williams) grapples with a deep despair in the wake of a faltering relationship with his closest connection, Shawn, in 'Over the edge,'" the video's caption states.
"The Ticket": An office of coworkers fight over a lottery ticket.
"Sanctuary": A brother and sister duo must prioritize their own safety during a zombie apocalypse.
"The Interview": Cory (Williams), a nervous job candidate, is overwhelmed by self-doubt during an interview.
"Detective Ultra": A detective is caught off guard in his own office, again and again.
"Off Objective": "Espionage operations are the most extremely organized events in the world," according to the video's caption.
"A Girl Dies": A young woman's internal monologue depicts her confusion, love (Williams makes a minor appearance at 4:15).
"Heated Rivalry" star Hudson Williams on a student production set at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2020.10+ other short films Hudson Williams has starred in
After Langara, Williams worked on many different short films, leading up to his casting in "Heated Rivalry." Here's a breakdown of what's available on YouTube:
"Super Support" and "Supper Support 2": "After mysteriously losing their powers, a group of washed-up superheroes set off on a chaotic journey to get them back, while rediscovering what truly makes them heroes," the video caption for "Super Support" states.
"Chad GPT": "After ordering the world's first AI-powered humanoid chatbot (Williams), Mike's life gets turned upside down," the video's caption reads.
"Dogging": "A Swedish journalist stumbles across a subculture of people pretending to be dogs, in exchange for cash and free rent," the video caption states.
"And...Release!": An actor (Williams) aces an audition for a laxative.
"Hold your Back": Two men endure a violent, passionate breakup.
"Brim Reaper": "A group of friends must stop the Brim Reaper from taking one of them," the video's caption reads.
"Metal Fist Death Punch": "A man goes on a quest to destroy every Toyota Corolla in the world after one killed his father," the video caption states.
"Devil Makes Three": "When two punk bands are double booked to headline Halloween night, they must decide who will play before something else does," the video's caption states.
"Peace of Mind": In this 22-minute short, "Joel (Williams) returns to his hometown to search for his sister, who had adopted him and has now mysteriously disappeared, only to uncover a vast conspiracy that threatens the very future he had lately dreamed of," the video's caption reads.
"The Protest ": Two groups of protestors fight over "protesting turf."
"KTFO": "Ethan, Shorya, and Hudson are about to give the presentation of their lives, until they face the most ridiculous obstacle they've ever encountered," the video's caption reads.
Hudson Williams, front in collar, poses with friends and fellow filmmakers at a Shits N Giggles film competition screening in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Williams has also starred in several proof-of-concept trailers, available on YouTube:
"Public Swim": A group of public pool lifeguards prepares for the upcoming summer season.
"Sheepskin": "Three young criminals must keep the identity of their boss a secret, because it's only the tip of a deadly iceberg," per the video's caption.
And last year, Williams starred in the music video for Love Lucille's single "Lights On," playing a Nosferatu-style vampire. The video is on YouTube, too.
"Heated Rivalry" star Hudson Williams, right, with Emily English, on the set of Love Lucille's music video "Lights On" in January 2025.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch Hudson Williams' 25 short films before 'Heated Rivalry'
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
